Fridays Riddle Of The Day

SC sawdaddy

The topics of conversation always amaze me in the mornings before everybody gets into work mode. NASCAR, fishing, hunting, music and cooter are normal everyday occurrences on the ride to work. Yesterday this was presented and was a hot topic all day long. Even got the H/O's input. Here it is:

A rifle mounted level 6 ft off the ground fires a shot across a level field. At the same time the bullet leaves the barrel another bullet is dropped the same distance (6') straight down to the ground. Which bullet hits the ground first?

ampman

they hit at the same time

__________________
an army of sheep lead by a lion will defeat an army of lions lead by a sheep

JumboJack

Wouldn't you need to know the velocity of the bullet being shot?

__________________
in texas with framing and cornish people will do it for 3.00 a foot. What do yall think about that? Just laber

480sparky

Not unless the bullet's velocity is extremely fast, approaching 'escape velocity".

The bullets will fall at the same rate as governed by the laws of Newtonian physics. Only if the fired round can approach the escape velocity of the Earth (roughly 17,500 MPH) could there be a difference in the rate of fall between the two.

__________________
Site : the area or exact plot of ground on which anything is, has been, or is to be located.
Sight : The power or faculty of seeing; perception of objects by use of the eyes; vision.
Cite : To mention in support, proof, or confirmation; refer to as an example.

neolitic

Gravity pretty much stays the same.
Unless the velocity is 17,500 mph.

__________________
Put your location in your profile!
(Sorry....it seems there really are dumb questions)

SC sawdaddy

That was my answer. Gravitational pull and all...Then as it was pointed out that a bullet will rise a certain amount before it starts to fall. Hence your velocity Jumbo.

neolitic

17,500 MPH is "orbital velocity.
Escape velocity is @ 25,00 mph.

__________________
Put your location in your profile!
(Sorry....it seems there really are dumb questions)

Cdat

Wrong, wrong, wrong. You're all fired.

tgeb

32'/sec/sec is velocity of a falling object, in a vacuum, if I recall.

Humidity, air current and heat would effect the speed at which the 2 objects would fall. And neither is in a vacuum.

I say the dropped projectile hits the ground first.

__________________
Tom

www.gebcon.com

Leo G

I would think that the dropped bullet would hit first. But only by a very short time. Because the bullet is going through the air at a high speed of velocity the thickness of the air will make it seem like a denser atmosphere. Therefore it will fall at a slightly slower rate

__________________
Sawdust Follows Me Everywhere

http://lrgwood.com
Custom Cabinets in Hartford County Connecticut

mics_54

Same time...if air friction is neglected and numerous ballistics anomalies are ignored.

Leo G

In a vacuum, yes. Earth has a dense atmosphere.

__________________
Sawdust Follows Me Everywhere

http://lrgwood.com
Custom Cabinets in Hartford County Connecticut

jkfox624

Sounds like a mythbuster's episode to me.....

KentWhitten

The dropped bullet does. The rifle isn't really level, but it is tangent to the curvature of the earth. By the time the bullet gets out there 500' or whatever, as small of a distance that it is, there is more space under the shot bullet than the dropped bullet.

__________________
If you correct your mind, the rest of your life will fall into place ~Lao Tzu

Custom Cabinetry - Portland, Cape Elizabeth, Scarborough, Kennebunkport, Yarmouth, Falmouth, Cumberland, Ogunquit, Maine

Salmon Falls Cabinetry

Leo G

That too. Just thought of that as I came back and saw that you posted it. Good catch.

__________________
Sawdust Follows Me Everywhere

http://lrgwood.com
Custom Cabinets in Hartford County Connecticut

Paulie

What if the bullet hit a 10 point buck in the level field?

www.phbconstruction.com

Leo G

Then the dropped bullet would hit first.

__________________
Sawdust Follows Me Everywhere

http://lrgwood.com
Custom Cabinets in Hartford County Connecticut

ScipioAfricanus

It drops at the same rate regardless of velocity. A bullet is a sinning projectile and does not act as an air foil imparting lift (up or down). Even 500 yrds. is not enough for the curvature of the earth to be a factor. At that distance the curvature is significantly less that even a piece of rice paper. The questions properly assumes a dead level field.

Andy.

__________________
www.draftinginoc.com

480sparky

Freud would have a field day with that little slip!

Here's the Straight Dope on the matter. Cecil is my hero.

They will hit the ground at the same time. Case closed.

__________________
Site : the area or exact plot of ground on which anything is, has been, or is to be located.
Sight : The power or faculty of seeing; perception of objects by use of the eyes; vision.
Cite : To mention in support, proof, or confirmation; refer to as an example.

Leo G

Wrong. The curvature of the Earth is 8" per mile. 660' = 1" of drop.

500 yards is about 2.25" of drop. A significant distance.

__________________
Sawdust Follows Me Everywhere

http://lrgwood.com
Custom Cabinets in Hartford County Connecticut